Leatherman
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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Leatherman
Just a thought:
A quick question to all you contract pilots out there.
Do any of you keep a universal tool (eg Leatherman) in your flight case when on contract. I find them to be rather handy when stuck out in the sticks with a loose screw etc......however, I have been given grief by airport security due to the fact that it has a blade in it......and they insist it is not allowed to be carried onboard an aircraft.
Dunno? Ive always found them to be very usefull.........Your thoughts.
SN
A quick question to all you contract pilots out there.
Do any of you keep a universal tool (eg Leatherman) in your flight case when on contract. I find them to be rather handy when stuck out in the sticks with a loose screw etc......however, I have been given grief by airport security due to the fact that it has a blade in it......and they insist it is not allowed to be carried onboard an aircraft.
Dunno? Ive always found them to be very usefull.........Your thoughts.
SN
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Even as a bush pilot on the C208 I had my leatherman in my flightbag. However, as a passenger I never took it as carry on luggage. In Copenhagen they made me take it out and at LHR there was a poor little cardboard box on the conveyor belt with my leatherman in it. Don't expect everyone to be so generous.
The fact that there is a crash axe in the cockpit is not an arguement as security have a job to do, and no knives. As a pilot I've never had grief about my leatherman in my flightbag, even when in 3rd world countries, but then I didn't offer that info, not that I'm saying SpootNICK did.
The fact that there is a crash axe in the cockpit is not an arguement as security have a job to do, and no knives. As a pilot I've never had grief about my leatherman in my flightbag, even when in 3rd world countries, but then I didn't offer that info, not that I'm saying SpootNICK did.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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I always carried mine strapped to my belt in plain view when I was going to act as pilot on all the tours I did - occasionally somebody whined briefly, but I was never stopped from carrying it. Sometimes they insisted it went through the x-ray machine though(!?) Very useful to have one around.
Feasant Plucker
Join Date: Feb 2001
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JHB "Security"
Put mine in my checked bag, together with a 15mm spanner and a cycle tool with various heads to assemble my bike at the other end; x-ray obviously spotted this stuff, informed "Security" who promptly raided my bag (in the interests of security of course!) as it waited for loading, and relieved me of all the above-mentioned hardware.........highly inconvenient, and the airline only pays out on 'weight lost', not value of stolen goods.........
No problem the next time, shrink-wrapped the bag, stymied the b*stards. Take the advice.
M
No problem the next time, shrink-wrapped the bag, stymied the b*stards. Take the advice.
M
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Town (where else?)
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If you're the PIC and security give you grief, tell them that you're going to ask the Captain of the aircraft to keep it for you.
Hold the Leatherman in your left hand, ask your right hand if it would keep the Leatherman for safe keeping and then place the Leatherman in right hand.
Continue past security with Leatherman on person.
Important notes:
1. If you are left handed, it is important to reverse the order of handover.
2. This tip may be used for the conveyance of any other 'security' related items.
(I will not be responsible for any repercussions from using this advice!)
Hold the Leatherman in your left hand, ask your right hand if it would keep the Leatherman for safe keeping and then place the Leatherman in right hand.
Continue past security with Leatherman on person.
Important notes:
1. If you are left handed, it is important to reverse the order of handover.
2. This tip may be used for the conveyance of any other 'security' related items.
(I will not be responsible for any repercussions from using this advice!)
Join Date: May 2002
Location: dubai
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All good stuff by security people I am sure.
Ask security next time (possibly get you arrested) "when I am on board the A/C I am faced with a good choice of weaponery. EG, glasses, plastic and glass, knives" (even plastic knives) I could go on.......
Ask security next time (possibly get you arrested) "when I am on board the A/C I am faced with a good choice of weaponery. EG, glasses, plastic and glass, knives" (even plastic knives) I could go on.......
Join Date: Jan 2006
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If you are planning on travelling through Dubai, and connecting don't carry a leatherman, even in uniform, they won't even allow it in your check in bags, and you will wind yourself up, saw some South African pilots flying in Afganistan pay the price, they threw their toys out and they were all taken from them. beware 
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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Came into and out of Dubai 2 nights ago with a leatherman in my checked bag. No problem at all.
Seems a bit strange that if you check in the Business / First class section of EK there is no screening before you get to the checkin counter. But go through the cattle class section and it's a different ball game.
Seems a bit strange that if you check in the Business / First class section of EK there is no screening before you get to the checkin counter. But go through the cattle class section and it's a different ball game.
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Went through security/immig at Cape Town yesterday morning (departure). Had a leatherman on me. Security says no problem, gives it to one of the ground handlers to give to the capt. No mess, no fuss.
69
69
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Funny to see postings from guys who are supposed to know that anything that looks like it will do harm, must go in checked baggage. There you take your chances.
Great tool for sure and not that expensive but if you have to do any flying that requires a security check, your gonna get hammered for having such things. Pilot or Coach seat.
I have forgetton to remove mine recently in the states,but we now have a commercial operator who has available a system where they take your knife, leatherman etc and place it in a locked box with your name and mailing info on it along with Credit Card info and its mailed to your home for a reasonable fee. Saves massive replacement costs.
By the way the latest price for the Leatherman tool (18 tools) with a refilable Butane Lighter and Binoculars (package) is R420 in the states, given the Rand fluctuation.
Great tool for sure and not that expensive but if you have to do any flying that requires a security check, your gonna get hammered for having such things. Pilot or Coach seat.
I have forgetton to remove mine recently in the states,but we now have a commercial operator who has available a system where they take your knife, leatherman etc and place it in a locked box with your name and mailing info on it along with Credit Card info and its mailed to your home for a reasonable fee. Saves massive replacement costs.
By the way the latest price for the Leatherman tool (18 tools) with a refilable Butane Lighter and Binoculars (package) is R420 in the states, given the Rand fluctuation.
Join Date: Jan 1998
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The recent case of the Air Canada Jazz CRJ where the first officer and/or flight attendant in the cockpit had to take the cockpit door off its hinges to allow the captain back in, along with the article “It Won’t Happen to You, of Course...But What if it Does?” by Bob Merrick in Transport Canada’s Aviation Safety Letter 3/2006 brought this thread to mind. Anyone who has read that article will no doubt be wondering exactly what the first officer and/or flight attendant used to remove the hinges. For those who have not read it, the article strongly makes the case that in the event of a forced landing or crash the occupants of a plane might be dependant for survival and safety solely on what is in their pockets or on their person. Flight crews and pax should be appropriately dressed and should carry on their person the necessary survival gear. As he states: “Sure, there is survival gear in the aircraft, but sometimes airplanes burn following unusual landings, the survival stuff goes with it, and you’re left with what you have on your back and in your pockets.”
Apart from wearing suitable clothing, a pilot should have on him such items as matches in a waterproof container, mosquito repellent, a signalling mirror, a Mini Maglite and of course a Swiss Army knife or similar multi-purpose tool. Was it a Swiss Army knife that the CRJ crew used? I presume a CRJ’s cockpit does not normally contain a tool kit with suitable screwdrivers as part of its standard equipment. A crash axe would probably be too big to undo the sort of screws used for hinges. This would seem to indicate a Swiss Army knife or similar tool was used. If so, well done to the crew for being properly equipped. It supports the case that pilots should always carry Swiss Army knives and Mini Maglites on their belts. You never know when you might have to remove the cockpit door!
What about airport security personnel objecting to pilots carrying Swiss Army knives? Transport Canada has supplied the answer. Pilots have a duty and responsibility to themselves and their passengers to carry essential survival equipment on their person! Where I fly in Africa it is normal for both professional pilots and the smarter private types, such as farmers and missionaries, to carry a Swiss Army knife and Mini Maglite on their belts. As far as we are concerned these are no-go items, an essential part of our job equipment. Apart from possible survival use to build a fire to keep hungry wild animals (hyenas and lions here and bears in Canada) at bay or for warmth or to create smoke or for cooking or boiling water, I always check round the plane at each stop and find that the screwdriver blades of my Wenger Ranger knife come in handy from time to time to tighten loose fasteners or screws on various panels or the engine cowlings. Twice at remote locations I have been unable to start one engine and the boss and his engineering staff have had to come to the rescue in another aircraft. On both occasions at his request, because he knew I carried a Swiss Army knife, I was able to save considerable time by using my knife’s screwdriver blades to undo the myriad of fasteners and screws to remove the offending engine’s cowlings and covers before they arrived.
In several years in Africa, flying through numerous international airports in different countries as well as the bush strips, I have not heard of any pilot carrying a Swiss Army knife or similar tool having a problem with over-zealous security personnel. Security personnel here apply some common sense and intelligence to the carrying out of their duties. Most countries have laws regarding unlawful interference with air traffic or obstruction of aircrews in the performance of their duties. Trying to deprive aircrews of essential small repair and survival equipment would fall under this. If bothered by such obstruction, refuse to go without the necessary items, call the police and insist that the offending security person be charged. Make sure your dispatch knows the situation. Take note of the ID of both the security person and the cop and ensure that the matter is followed up. Security personnel are supposed to be there to help flight crews and air operators conduct a safe flight, not hinder them!
Apart from wearing suitable clothing, a pilot should have on him such items as matches in a waterproof container, mosquito repellent, a signalling mirror, a Mini Maglite and of course a Swiss Army knife or similar multi-purpose tool. Was it a Swiss Army knife that the CRJ crew used? I presume a CRJ’s cockpit does not normally contain a tool kit with suitable screwdrivers as part of its standard equipment. A crash axe would probably be too big to undo the sort of screws used for hinges. This would seem to indicate a Swiss Army knife or similar tool was used. If so, well done to the crew for being properly equipped. It supports the case that pilots should always carry Swiss Army knives and Mini Maglites on their belts. You never know when you might have to remove the cockpit door!
What about airport security personnel objecting to pilots carrying Swiss Army knives? Transport Canada has supplied the answer. Pilots have a duty and responsibility to themselves and their passengers to carry essential survival equipment on their person! Where I fly in Africa it is normal for both professional pilots and the smarter private types, such as farmers and missionaries, to carry a Swiss Army knife and Mini Maglite on their belts. As far as we are concerned these are no-go items, an essential part of our job equipment. Apart from possible survival use to build a fire to keep hungry wild animals (hyenas and lions here and bears in Canada) at bay or for warmth or to create smoke or for cooking or boiling water, I always check round the plane at each stop and find that the screwdriver blades of my Wenger Ranger knife come in handy from time to time to tighten loose fasteners or screws on various panels or the engine cowlings. Twice at remote locations I have been unable to start one engine and the boss and his engineering staff have had to come to the rescue in another aircraft. On both occasions at his request, because he knew I carried a Swiss Army knife, I was able to save considerable time by using my knife’s screwdriver blades to undo the myriad of fasteners and screws to remove the offending engine’s cowlings and covers before they arrived.
In several years in Africa, flying through numerous international airports in different countries as well as the bush strips, I have not heard of any pilot carrying a Swiss Army knife or similar tool having a problem with over-zealous security personnel. Security personnel here apply some common sense and intelligence to the carrying out of their duties. Most countries have laws regarding unlawful interference with air traffic or obstruction of aircrews in the performance of their duties. Trying to deprive aircrews of essential small repair and survival equipment would fall under this. If bothered by such obstruction, refuse to go without the necessary items, call the police and insist that the offending security person be charged. Make sure your dispatch knows the situation. Take note of the ID of both the security person and the cop and ensure that the matter is followed up. Security personnel are supposed to be there to help flight crews and air operators conduct a safe flight, not hinder them!
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leatherman
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241648
We had a guy that had a problem getting his gear down. Out comes a trusty Leatherman, up comes the rugs, inspection panels. After a few minutes of poking around problem found and down comes the gear. Within three days every pilot on the field had a leatherman. Try getting one of those though security. I used mine to change my tailwheel tire and patch it 2,000 miles from home. God I miss my leatherman.
We had a guy that had a problem getting his gear down. Out comes a trusty Leatherman, up comes the rugs, inspection panels. After a few minutes of poking around problem found and down comes the gear. Within three days every pilot on the field had a leatherman. Try getting one of those though security. I used mine to change my tailwheel tire and patch it 2,000 miles from home. God I miss my leatherman.
